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Schaumburg students and families press District 211 to fix unsafe baseball fields; board pledges short- and long-term steps
Summary
Multiple Schaumburg High student athletes and parents told Township High School District 211’s board the baseball infield has dangerous lips, divots and chronic drainage problems that have caused injuries and canceled games; the superintendent said short-term safety measures will be deployed and professionals will assess long-term fixes.
Students, parents and community members urged Township High School District 211’s board of education on May 20 to address chronic safety problems at Schaumburg High’s baseball fields, saying uneven infields and poor drainage have caused injuries, canceled games and an uneven playing field for visiting teams.
"Our infield is very bumpy, and it is very bad to play on," said Jack Baker, a Schaumburg High senior, recapping multiple teammates' injuries and arguing the district should act for future players. "We should be focused, driven, and determined. All I'm asking is this: take this seriously, fix our field, and give the players who come after me the safe experience that they deserve."
Other students gave similar accounts. Nathan Barnetts, a varsity center fielder, said players have rolled ankles and that JV teams have played far fewer games because Schaumburg's field is frequently unplayable after rain. "To date, Conant JV has played 10 more games than Schaumburg's JV team," Barnetts said, arguing the disparity costs younger players opportunities. Jacob Meiners, a junior third baseman, described a "giant lip" between grass and dirt that produces unpredictable hops and said teammates suffered concussions from the same hazard.
Families pressed the board for a public, professional assessment and a transparent remediation timeline. Kristen Baker told the board that public records and Google Earth imagery raised questions about grading, pitch and drainage after a 2017 engineered drainage project and asked why families had not been given a clear, accountable plan.
Superintendent Judith Campbell told the board the district has heard the concerns and plans both short-term safety measures for the remainder of the season and longer-term solutions that will require professional assessment. "In short term, have some short term solutions brought to the families," Campbell said, adding staff will engage professionals for an accurate assessment and a remediation plan. "I think we have about 5 — maybe 4 now — games left in the season," she said, noting the short-term fixes are intended to address immediate safety during the remainder of play.
Board members said grounds staff have been working to pump water from fields and communicate with coaches; some members emphasized the district’s established chain of communication (teacher → department chair → principal → superintendent → board) while also acknowledging families’ frustration with the pace of district processes. Director-level staff and building grounds personnel were described as actively responding while the district pursues professional recommendations for permanent repairs.
The board did not vote on a capital project at the meeting but directed administration to pursue immediate safety measures, communicate them to families and follow up with a professional assessment and remediation timeline.
What happens next: The board committed to better communication to families and to bringing professional assessment results and a remediation schedule back to the district and school stakeholders for consideration.
